A train derailed Tuesday morning in northern Nigeria, injuring seven passengers, railway authorities confirmed, prompting immediate emergency response efforts. Images on social media showed at least three carriages tipped over on the troubled Abuja-Kaduna line, a vital corridor in the region.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation said no deaths occurred, while emergency, rescue, and medical personnel were mobilised to treat those injured. Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported the seven wounded received on-site first aid before being transported to local hospitals.
The Abuja-Kaduna railway has a history of frequent breakdowns, with axle issues causing service disruptions just last week, officials noted. Past derailments include a 2024 incident near Jere station, which caused no fatalities, and a 2023 accident near Kubwa station.
The line was suspended for six months after a 2022 attack, where gunmen killed a dozen and kidnapped roughly 60 passengers. Those abducted were eventually released after months in captivity, underscoring the ongoing security challenges along the railway route.
Inaugurated in 2016 after five years of construction, the 186-kilometre line was designed as a safer alternative to dangerous road travel. Despite its promise, the railway regularly faces operational and security setbacks, highlighting Nigeria’s broader struggle to secure vital transport corridors.